Method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a steaming pitcher

ABSTRACT

A steaming pitcher comprising a flow receiving surface adapted to receive an incoming flow of steam at a substantially oblique angle provides enhanced control of fluid flow inside the steaming pitcher to enhance mixing and heating of the fluid by the incoming steam. The steaming pitcher may also comprise flow directing and launching surfaces to assist in control of fluid flow patterns. A flow control kit with a flow receiving surface may be installed in an existing flat-bottom steaming pitcher to provide aspects of fluid flow control. The flow receiving, flow directing and launching surfaces of the steaming pitcher may be substantially smooth, faceted, or a combination thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/772,834, filed on Feb. 13, 2006, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to fluid mixing containers. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to steaming pitchers adapted forcontrolling fluid flow therein.

BACKGROUND

Steaming pitchers are known in the art for use in mixing steam withfluids, particularly dairy products such as milk, for use in thepreparation of hot beverages such as espresso coffee drinks or steamedmilk drinks. Typically a conventional steaming pitcher is partiallyfilled with fluid, such as milk, and mixed with pressurized steam suchas from a steaming wand of an espresso coffee machine to make in thepitcher heated fluid mixed or frothed by the steam. In the process ofmixing and heating the milk with the steam, air is typically entrainedinto the mixture to form froth or foam, preferably in the form of verysmall bubbles in the milk, which is desirable for preparation of manymixed coffee beverages such as lattes or cappuccino, for example.Conventional steaming pitchers known in the art are typically made ofstainless steel or other suitable metal and of generally cylindricalshape with a closed substantially flat bottom and open top, and a handlefor holding by a user. Conventional steaming pitchers typically havesidewalls which extend upwards from a substantially flat bottom or base,and are either substantially straight (cylindrical shape), chined(dual-angled), or slightly bell shaped above the substantially flatbottom. Examples of conventional steaming pitchers known in the art maybe found in the illustrations and descriptions of U.S. Pat. Nos.6,792,848, 6,324,963 and D501,354.

In the use of a steaming pitcher, it is desirable that the steamedfluids prepared in the steaming pitcher be homogeneously mixed andheated by the steam, particularly in the case where milk is to be mixedwith another fluid such as a flavoring syrup for example during thesteaming process. Homogeneous mixing and heating of the fluids in thesteaming pitcher is also desirable to improve the uniformity of froth orfoam in the fluid mixture which preferably comprises very small bubblesof air entrained into the fluids by the flow of steam into the fluidsand by the resulting flow of fluids inside the pitcher. The use ofconventional steaming pitchers as known in the art, particularly byunskilled users, may commonly result in undesirable unevenly mixed andheated steamed fluids, due to one or more limitations in the design ofconventional steaming pitchers. Specifically, when using a conventionalsteaming pitcher, the pressurized steam jet from a steaming wandtypically reflects in a random or uncontrolled manner off the flatbottom of the conventional pitcher towards the surface of the fluidresulting in incomplete, uneven or inefficient mixing of the fluid, andthe loss of steam to the atmosphere. Further, the rate of steam andfluid flow near the walls of the conventional pitcher or in areas nearsharp angles between surfaces such as the bottom and the sidewalls maybe much less than in the center of the fluid, resulting in incomplete orinefficient mixing or uneven heating of the fluid. Also, in using aconventional steaming pitcher with a steaming wand there is typically nodiscernable or distinct fluid flow pattern visible to the user from thetop of the pitcher that indicates to the user that the flow rate ofsteam and location of the steaming wand are appropriate and resulting ineffective mixing of the fluid.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved steamingpitcher that overcomes some of the limitations of the steaming pitchersknown in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An inventive steaming pitcher is provided according to one embodiment ofthe invention comprising a bottom connected to a sidewall surfacedefining a top opening and an open internal cavity and a flow receivingsurface at least a portion of which is adapted to receive an incomingflow of steam at a substantially oblique angle. The steaming pitcher mayalso comprise one or more of a flow directing surface and a launchingsurface adapted to launch a flow of fluid moving substantiallytangentially to the launching surface inside the steaming container.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method ofcontrolling fluid flow in a steaming pitcher is provided employing asteaming pitcher comprising a bottom connected to a sidewall surfacedefining a top opening and an open internal cavity and a flow receivingsurface, at least a portion of which is adapted to receive an incomingflow of steam at a substantially oblique angle. The inventive methodcomprises providing a volume of fluid to be steamed within the steamingpitcher, directing the incoming flow of steam into the volume of fluidsuch that a combined flow of fluid and steam is incident upon the flowreceiving surface and adjusting the volumetric rate of the incoming flowof steam such that the combined flow of fluid and steam circulateswithin the steaming pitcher in a substantially positionally stable flowpattern relative to the pitcher.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a steaming pitcherflow control kit is provided, comprising a flow control feature having aflow receiving surface at least a portion of which is adapted to receivean incoming flow of steam at a substantially oblique angle, wherein theflow control feature is adapted for insertion in a steaming pitchercomprising a substantially flat bottom surface. The steaming pitcherflow control kit may also comprise instructions for inserting the flowcontrol feature and attaching the flow control feature to thesubstantially flat bottom of the steaming pitcher.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steaming pitcher with flat sideshaving flow control surfaces, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inventive steaming pitcher shown inFIG. 1, depicting fluid flows inside the inventive pitcher during thesteaming process.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a steaming pitcher with flat sides andflow control surfaces, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inventive steaming pitcher shown inFIG. 3, depicting fluid flows inside the inventive pitcher during thesteaming process.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a steaming pitcher with a substantiallyround bottom and substantially round cross-section having flow controlsurfaces, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the inventive steaming pitcher shown inFIG. 5 depicting fluid flows inside the inventive pitcher during thesteaming process.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a steaming pitcher with curved sides andsubstantially round cross-section having flow control surfaces,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the inventive steaming pitcher shown inFIG. 7 depicting fluid flows inside the inventive pitcher during thesteaming process when a steaming wand is held substantially centered inthe steaming pitcher.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inventive steaming pitcher shown inFIG. 7 depicting fluid flows inside the inventive pitcher during thesteaming process when a steaming wand is held substantially off-centerin the steaming pitcher, and substantially away from the wall of thesteaming pitcher.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the inventive steaming pitcher shown inFIG. 7 depicting fluid flows inside the inventive pitcher during thesteaming process when a steaming wand is held substantially against thewall of the steaming pitcher.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a steaming pitcher with asymmetricallycurved sides having flow control surfaces, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a steaming pitcher with curved,inwardly tapered sides and substantially round cross-section having flowcontrol surfaces, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the steaming pitcher shown in FIG.12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a ridge shaped flow control feature foruse in a steaming pitcher, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a faceted ridge shaped flow controlfeature for use in a steaming pitcher, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a substantially conical flow controlfeature for use in a steaming pitcher, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a substantially pyramidal flow controlfeature for use in a steaming pitcher, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a faceted substantially pyramidal flowcontrol feature for use in a steaming pitcher, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a two-piece steaming pitcher withcurved sides and substantially round cross-section having an insert flowcontrol feature with a flow control surface, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a two-piece steaming pitcher withcurved sides and substantially round cross-section having flow controlsurfaces, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A detailed description of the embodiments of the present inventionillustrated in the above Figures may be found in the following section.Some similar features shown in multiple Figures have been indicated withsimilar reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

A steaming pitcher according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 1 and includes a top opening 8, open internalcavity 6, flat sidewalls 18, and handle 5. The inventive steamingpitcher includes one or more structural members defining a flowreceiving surface 1, adapted to receive an incoming flow of steam at asubstantially oblique angle. The flow receiving surface 1 is connectedto a substantially smooth arcuate flow directing surface 2, which is inturn connected to a substantially smooth launching surface 4. In thisembodiment, the flow receiving surface 1 and launching surface 4 isdefined by two curved sides of the steaming pitcher, while the flowdirecting surface 2 is defined by a curved bottom or base of thesteaming pitcher. Additionally, in this embodiment, the flow receivingsurface 1 connects smoothly to the flow directing surface 2 whichconnects smoothly to the launching surface 4, without an abrupt orsubstantial change in wall angle between the surfaces.

A view of the first embodiment of the inventive steaming pitcher in useaccording to a method of the invention is shown in FIG. 2, showingsteaming wand 10 inserted into the pitcher and delivering pressurizedsteam plume 11 from tip 60 into the volume of fluid 12 to be steamed inthe pitcher. The pitcher is typically held by handle 5 by a user duringuse. The volume of steam delivered by steaming wand 10 into the fluid 12in the steaming pitcher may typically be controlled by a user such as bycontrolling a knob or valve of an espresso coffee machine. The locationat which the steam plume 11 contacts the wall of the steaming pitchermay typically be controlled by a user by varying the relative positionof the steaming wand 10 within the pitcher. The steam plume 11 uponentering the fluid 12 creates generally linear motion of the fluid inthe direction of the incoming steam, as the steam mixes with and propelsthe fluid in the vicinity of the tip of the steaming wand 10. Typically,the direction of the fluid flow changes only when the fluid encountersthe inner surfaces of the steaming pitcher. The flow receiving surface 1of the inventive steaming pitcher is adapted to receive the incomingflow of steam and fluid from the tip of the steaming wand 10 at asubstantially oblique angle. In particular, flow receiving surface 1 isoriented largely tangential to the direction of steam-fluid flow, andthe steam-fluid flow gently changes direction as it travels along theflow receiving surface 1 and remains more fully developed andcontrollable, rather than scattering or reflecting in a random oruncontrolled manner such as when contacting a surface closer toperpendicular to the direction of flow.

The flow of fluid then continues in the direction shown by curved flowpath 15 from the flow receiving surface 1 to the substantially smootharcuate flow directing surface 2 and remains developed and controlled,rather than undesirably scattering or reflecting randomly fromcontacting abrupt changes in surface angle along the path of the fluidflow, such as internal angles between surfaces that are less than about135 degrees, and more particularly, less than about 120 degrees. Anexample of an angle between surfaces which is desirably greater thanabout 135 degrees so as to reduce scattering or reflecting flowdisturbances is shown by angle 152 of FIG. 15. Returning now to FIG. 2,the flow of fluid then further continues along flow directing surface 2in the general direction of flow path 17 to the substantially smoothlaunching surface 4. The direction of fluid flow across the launchingsurface 4 is substantially tangential to the launching surface 4, andthe fluid flow is then launched and separates from the launching surface4 under the force of gravity, and follows an arcing trajectory 26falling into the open inner cavity 6 of the steaming pitcher. Thetrajectory of the fluid leaving the launching surface 4 may becontrolled by varying the volume (and typically therefore also thevelocity) of the steam plume 11 entering the fluid 12, such that withadjustment of the volume flow of steam into the fluid, the fluid leavingthe launching surface 4 may fall back into the remaining fluid in thepitcher at the flow receiving surface 1, resulting in a relativelysmooth and continuous flow of fluid and steam in the pitcher, which maydesirably result in thorough and efficient mixing and heating of thefluid in the pitcher. In this manner, a user may be able to visuallydetermine that a correct volume of steam is being introduced into thesteaming pitcher to thoroughly mix and heat the fluid 12 by observingthe substantially positionally stable fluid flow pattern within thepitcher wherein the fluid and steam flow leave the launching surface 4and fall to rejoin the incoming steam plume 11 at or substantiallyadjacent to the flow receiving surface 1.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), a steamingpitcher similar to that described in FIG. 1 above comprises a topopening, open internal cavity, flat sidewalls, and flow receivingsurface adapted to receive an incoming flow of steam at a substantiallyoblique angle. The steaming pitcher may also comprise a flow directingsurface and launching surface. In this embodiment, the flow receivingsurface may be connected to the flow directing surface by one or moreobtuse internal wall angles, such as internal angles greater than about135 degrees (an example of an obtuse internal angle between surfacesgreater than about 135 degrees is shown by angle 152 of FIG. 15), so asto approximate a substantially smooth connection and provide fordeveloped and controlled flow of fluid from the flow receiving surfaceto the flow directing surface. Similarly, the flow receiving or flowdirecting surfaces may comprise one or more facets connected by obtuseinternal wall angles such as internal angles of greater than about 135degrees. Each such facet may comprise a curved or substantially planarsurface, or a combination thereof. The flow directing surface may beconnected to the launching surface by an obtuse internal angle, such asa change in internal pitcher wall angle of greater than about 120degrees, and more particularly greater than about 135 degrees, so as toapproximate a substantially smooth flow path and provide for developedand controlled fluid flow across the flow directing surface to thelaunching surface of the pitcher. An example of a flow receiving surfacecomprising six facets with obtuse internal angles between facets isshown as flow receiving surface 150 of FIG. 15, wherein exemplary obtuseinternal angle 152 is desirably greater than about 120 degrees, and moreparticularly greater than about 135 degrees. In further alternativeinventive embodiments, flow receiving surfaces, flow directing surfacesand launching surfaces may comprise any number of facets, wherein eachfacet may comprise a curved or substantially planar surface, orcombination thereof.

A steaming pitcher according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 3 and includes a top opening 44, openinternal cavity 41, and flat sidewalls 31. The inventive steamingpitcher also includes a central ridge-shaped flow receiving surface 30adapted to receive an incoming flow of steam at a substantially obliqueangle. Flow receiving surface 30 is shown connected to substantiallysmooth arcuate flow directing surfaces 32, and 34 on either side of thepitcher, which are in turn connected to substantially smooth launchingsurfaces 36 and 38 respectively. In this example, flow receiving surface30 is shown smoothly connected to flow directing surfaces 32 and 34which are in turn shown smoothly connected to launching surfaces 36 and38 respectively, without an abrupt or substantial change in wall anglebetween the surfaces. In this embodiment, the launching surfaces 36 and38 are defined by two curved sides of the steaming pitcher, while theflow directing surfaces 32 and 34 are defined by portions of the doublecurved bottom or base of the steaming pitcher. Another view of thisembodiment of the inventive steaming pitcher in use according to amethod of the invention is shown in FIG. 4, showing steaming wand 10inserted into the pitcher and delivering pressurized steam plume 11 intothe volume of fluid 12 in the pitcher. The flow of steam is shownincident on the flow receiving surface 30 at a substantially obliqueangle, and the steam and fluid flow proceeds in the direction generallyshown by curved flow paths 48 and 49 from the flow receiving surface 30along the flow directing surfaces 32 and 34 to the launching surfaces 36and 38, respectively. The direction of fluid flow across the launchingsurfaces 36 and 38 is substantially tangential to the launchingsurfaces, and the fluid flow is then launched and separates fromlaunching surfaces 36 and 38 under the force of gravity, and typicallyfollows arcing trajectories 40 and 42 respectively, falling into theopen inner cavity 41 of the steaming pitcher. By adjustment of at leastone of the volume flow of steam into the fluid, and the location of thesteaming wand 10, the fluid may be caused to fall back into the pitchersubstantially at or substantially adjacent to flow receiving surface 30,resulting in a substantially positionally stable fluid flow patternvisible to a user providing an indication to the user that the steamvolume flow is suitable for thorough mixing and heating of the fluid.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the present inventive steamingpitcher with a substantially round cross-section, including a topopening 51, open internal cavity 53, and flow receiving surface 52adapted to receive an incoming flow of steam at a substantially obliqueangle. The inventive pitcher also has a substantially smooth arcuateflow directing surface 54 defined by a rounded bottom of the pitcher,and substantially smooth launching surface 58. A view of this embodimentof the inventive steaming pitcher in use according to a method of theinvention is shown in FIG. 6, showing steaming wand 10 inserted into thepitcher and delivering pressurized steam plume 111 into the volume offluid 12 in the pitcher. The flow of steam is incident on the flowreceiving surface 52 at a substantially oblique angle, and the steam andfluid flow proceeds in the general direction shown by curved flow paths68 from the flow receiving surface 52 along the flow directing surface54 to the launching surface 58. The pitcher is tilted relative to thedirection of gravitational force by angle 60, so that the fluid flowmoving substantially tangential to the launching surface 58 is launchedand separates from launching surface 58 under the force of gravity,following arcing trajectory 62, falling into the open inner cavity 53 ofthe steaming pitcher generally towards flow receiving surface 52. Byadjustment of at least one of the volume flow of steam into the fluid,and the location of steaming wand 10, the fluid may be controlled tofall back into the pitcher substantially at the flow receiving surface52 resulting in a substantially positionally stable fluid flow patternvisible to a user, providing an indication to the user that the steamvolume flow is suitable for thorough mixing and heating of the fluid.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the present inventive steamingpitcher with a substantially round cross-section, including a topopening 71, open internal cavity 77 and central substantially conicalflow receiving surface 70 adapted to receive an incoming flow of steamat a substantially oblique angle. The inventive pitcher also has asubstantially smooth toroidal flow directing surface 74 connected toflow receiving surface 70 forming a rounded toroidal portion of thebottom of the pitcher, and substantially smooth circumferentiallaunching surface 76 extending around the pitcher like a band andsmoothly connected to flow directing surface 74. Another view of thisembodiment of the inventive steaming pitcher in use according to amethod of the invention is shown in FIG. 8, showing steaming wand 10inserted into the pitcher and delivering pressurized steam plume 11 intothe volume of fluid 12 in the pitcher. The flow of steam is shownincident on the substantially conical flow receiving surface 70 at asubstantially oblique angle and the flow of steam and fluid movesradially outward from the center of the flow receiving surface 70 in thegenerally toroidal flow direction shown by flow path 82 from the flowreceiving surface 70 along the flow directing surface 74 to thecircumferential launching surface 76. The direction of the fluid flow issubstantially tangential to the launching surface 76 and the fluid flowis then launched and separates from launching surface 76 under the forceof gravity, following inward arcing trajectory 86, falling into the openinner cavity 77 generally toward flow receiving surface 70 of thesteaming pitcher in a generally toroidal flow pattern. By adjustment ofat least one of the volume flow of steam into the fluid, and thelocation of steaming wand 10, the fluid may be caused to fall back intothe pitcher at the central conical flow receiving surface 70 resultingin a substantially positionally stable and generally toroidal fluid flowpattern visible to a user to indicate that the steam volume flow issuitable for thorough mixing and heating of the fluid.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) of the invention, a steamingpitcher similar to that described in FIG. 7, above, comprises a topopening, open internal cavity and a central substantially pyramidal flowreceiving surface adapted to receive an incoming flow of steam at asubstantially oblique angle. This inventive pitcher may also have afaceted flow directing surface extending outwards from the central flowreceiving surface, and launching surface. In this embodiment, facets ofthe central pyramidal flow receiving surface may be connected to facetsof the flow directing surface by one or more obtuse internal pitcherwall angles, such as internal wall angles greater than about 120degrees, and more particularly greater than about 135 degrees so as toapproximate a substantially smooth connection between surfaces andprovide for developed and controlled flow of fluid from the flowreceiving surface to the flow directing surface. Similarly, the flowreceiving and flow directing surface may each comprise multiple facetsconnected by obtuse internal pitcher wall angles, such as internal wallangles greater than about 120 degrees and more particularly greater thanabout 135 degrees. Each such facet may comprise a curved orsubstantially planar surface, or a combination thereof. Further, theflow directing surface may also be connected to the launching surface byan obtuse internal pitcher wall angle such as an internal angle greaterthan about 120 degrees and more particularly greater than about 135degrees, so as to approximate a substantially smooth flow path providingfor developed and controlled fluid flow across the flow directingsurface to the launching surface of the pitcher. An example of asubstantially pyramidal flow receiving surface comprising four facets isshown as flow receiving surface 170 of FIG. 17, as further describedbelow. In further related alternative inventive embodiments, flowreceiving surfaces, flow directing surfaces and launching surfaces maycomprise any number of facets, wherein each facet may comprise a curvedor substantially planar surface, or combination thereof.

An alternative application of the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 7is shown in FIG. 9, wherein steaming wand 10 is positioned substantiallyoff-center in the steaming pitcher, but substantially away from the wallof the steaming pitcher. In this alternative application, the flow ofsteam is incident on only one portion of the substantially conical flowreceiving surface 70 and the flow of steam and fluid moves generallyradially outward from the point of incidence on flow receiving surface70. This results in an asymmetrical toroidal flow pattern across theflow directing surface 74 and towards the circumferential launchingsurface 96 on the side of the pitcher nearest to the steaming wand 10.The direction of the fluid flow is substantially tangential to thelaunching surface 96 on that side of the pitcher and the fluid flow isthen launched and separates from launching surface 96 under the force ofgravity, following arcing asymmetrical trajectory 77, falling into theopen inner cavity 97 of the steaming pitcher in an asymmetrical toroidalflow pattern. However, the launching surface 99 on the side of thepitcher opposite the steaming wand 10 acts instead as a flow receivingsurface whereby fluid flow from launching surface 96 is incident on flowreceiving surface 99, and returns to the steam plume 11 via flowdirecting surface 74 as shown by flow direction arrow 92, thuscompleting the asymmetrical toroidal flow pattern within the pitcher. Byadjustment of the volume flow of steam into the fluid, the fluid may becontrolled to circulate and fall back into the pitcher in asubstantially positionally stable and generally asymmetrical toroidalfluid flow pattern visible to a user to indicate to the user that thesteam volume flow is suitable for thorough mixing and heating of thefluid.

A further alternative application of the embodiment of the invention ofFIG. 7 is shown in FIG. 10, wherein steaming wand 10 is shown positionedsubstantially against one part of the wall of the steaming pitcher. Inthis alternative application, the flow of steam is incident at asubstantially oblique angle on the outside wall of the pitcher whichacts as a flow receiving surface 100. The flow of steam and fluid movesgenerally inward from the point of incidence on flow receiving surface100. This results in an asymmetrical toroidal flow pattern across thetoroidal flow directing surface 74 and inwards towards the centralconical launching surface 108. The direction of the fluid flow issubstantially tangential to the conical launching surface 108 and thefluid flow is then launched and separates from launching surface 108under the force of gravity, following outward trajectory 104 in anasymmetrical outward toroidal flow pattern. Fluid flow from launchingsurface 108 that is incident on flow receiving surface 100 returnsdirectly to steam plume 11, whereas fluid flow that is incident on flowreceiving surface 101 located opposite from steaming wand 10 returns tosteam plume 11 via flow directing surface 74 and launching surface 108as shown by flow direction arrow 106, thus completing the asymmetricaltoroidal flow pattern within the pitcher. By adjustment of at least oneof the volume flow of steam into the fluid and the position of thesteaming wand 10, the fluid may be caused to circulate and fall backinto the pitcher in a substantially positionally stable and generallyasymmetrical toroidal fluid flow pattern visible to a user to indicatethat the steam volume flow is suitable for thorough mixing and heatingof the fluid.

In addition to the asymmetric toroidal flow patterns shown and describedin FIGS. 9 and 10, the overall shape of a toroidal embodiment of theinventive steaming pitcher may be asymmetric in orientation. Forexample, an alternative asymmetrical toroidal embodiment of theinventive steaming pitcher is shown in FIG. 11, wherein toroidal flowdirecting surface 110 is asymmetric relative to the rest of the pitcher.

A further embodiment of the present inventive steaming pitcher withupward tapering sidewalls is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Similar to theembodiment shown in FIG. 8, the steaming pitcher embodiment shown inFIGS. 12 and 13 includes a substantially round cross-section, includinga top opening 131, open internal cavity 137, and central substantiallyconical flow receiving surface 130 adapted to receive an incoming flowof steam at a substantially oblique angle. This inventive steamingpitcher also includes a substantially smooth toroidal flow directingsurface 134 defined by a rounded toroidal portion of the bottom of thepitcher smoothly connected to the flow receiving surface 130, andsubstantially smooth circumferential launching surface 136 extendingaround the pitcher like a band and smoothly connected to the flowdirecting surface 134. Spout 138 is formed into a portion of the upwardtapering sidewalls of the pitcher, and is shown with a relatively narrowspout opening in the pitcher sidewall, such as is suitable for use inthe decorative pouring of steamed milk from the pitcher where finecontrol of a poured stream is desired. FIG. 13 shows the inventivesteaming pitcher in use similar to FIG. 8, wherein steaming wand 10delivering pressurized steam plume 11 into the volume of fluid 12 in thepitcher. Also similar to FIG. 8, fluid flow within the pitcher followsgenerally in the direction of flow arrow 82 in a generally toroidal flowpattern. By adjustment of at least one of the volume flow of steam intothe fluid, and the location of steaming wand 10, the fluid may becontrolled to fall back into the pitcher in the general direction ofarrow 86 towards the central conical flow receiving surface 130resulting in a substantially positionally stable and generally toroidalfluid flow pattern visible to a user to indicate to the user that thesteam volume flow is suitable for thorough mixing and heating of thefluid.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show standalone or retrofittable flow control featuresor inserts according to the present invention suitable for use as flowreceiving surfaces in steaming pitchers with two flat sides, and twocurved, bell-shaped or faceted sides, such as the steaming pitcher shownin FIG. 1. FIG. 14 shows a smooth ridge-shaped flow receiving surface140, while FIG. 15 shows a faceted ridge-shaped flow receiving surface150 wherein the angles between the facets such as angle 152, are obtuse,such as greater than about 135 degrees. Both ridge-shaped flow receivingsurfaces 140 and 150 may be used as a centrally located flow receivingsurface in conjunction with a flat-sided pitcher design similar to thatshown in FIG. 1 to receive and divert an incident fluid and steam flowinto two directions. In such an application, flow receiving surfaces 140or 150 may be attached or otherwise suitably situated in a flat sidedsteaming pitcher, thus providing additional flow control features in anexisting steaming pitcher design.

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 show additional standalone or retrofittable flowcontrol features or inserts according to the present invention. FIG. 16shows a standalone conical flow receiving surface 160. FIG. 17 shows astandalone pyramidal flow receiving surface 170, and FIG. 18 shows astandalone faceted pyramidal flow receiving surface 180, wherein theinternal angles between facets are preferably obtuse, such as greaterthan about 135 degrees. Standalone flow receiving surfaces 160, 170 and180 are suitable for use in combination with conventional generallycylindrical steaming pitchers with flat bottoms and particularlysuitable for use with conventional flat-bottom steaming pitchers withbell-shaped sidewalls such as the steaming pitcher 190 shown in FIG. 19.In FIGS. 17 and 18 the exemplary flow receiving surfaces 170 and 180 areshown having 4 facets and 11 facets respectively, whereas in otherembodiments, similar such generally pyramidal flow receiving surfacesmay have any desired number of facets. Standalone flow control featurescomprising a flow receiving surface adapted to receive an incoming flowof steam at a substantially oblique angle may be applied to an existingsteaming pitcher by attaching or otherwise situating the flow receivingsurface generally in the center of the bottom of the pitcher, thusproviding some of the benefits of improved fluid flow development andcontrol according to the present invention. In one example, a flowcontrol feature comprising a flow receiving surface such as exemplaryfeatures 160, 170 or 180, may be attached to the center of the flatbottom of a conventional steaming pitcher by chemically bonding, weldingor magnetically attaching the flow control feature to the conventionalsteaming pitcher, such as by employing mutually attractive magnetsattached to the flow control feature and to the bottom of the steamingpitcher.

FIG. 19 shows the retrofit of a conventional substantially flat bottomsteaming pitcher with a standalone flow control feature or insertcomprising a flow receiving surface adapted to receive an incoming flowof steam at a substantially oblique angle. In particular, upon theaddition of a standalone flow receiving surface such as flow receivingsurfaces 160, 170 or 180 as flow receiving surface 192, the retrofittedbell-shaped pitcher 190 includes a top opening 194, an open internalcavity 195 and a flow receiving surface 192. The illustrated retrofittedbell-shaped pitcher also has a substantially smooth flow directingsurface 193 and a substantially smooth launching surface 191, thusproviding aspects of an embodiment of the present invention forrealizing improved fluid flow control during steaming relative to theunimproved substantially flat bottom and bell-walled conventionalpitcher design. Standalone flow control features according to theinvention comprising a flow receiving surface such as 140, 150, 160, 170or 180 may also be supplied as a steaming pitcher flow control kit forretrofitting an existing generally flat-bottom steaming pitcher. Such aflow control kit may also include instructions specifying how to installthe flow control feature in an existing steaming pitcher.

In an optional embodiment, the upper portion of pitcher 190 comprisingtop opening 194 and handle 198 may be interchanged to provide additionalflexibility for the desired function of the pitcher 190 withoutrequiring the replacement of the entire pitcher. Similarly, FIG. 20shows a multi-piece pitcher comprising separately interchangeable top206, middle 200 and bottom 208 portions providing yet furtherflexibility to select design features suited for a particular intendedusage. For example, the bottom section 208 comprises central conicalflow receiving surface 203 and toroidal flow directing surface 204 flowcontrol features of the present invention, the middle section 200comprises a circumferential launching surface flow control feature, bothof which are interchangeable with top section 206 to allow the selectionof flow control design features as required by the user, without therequirement to replace the entire steaming pitcher.

In another embodiment of the invention, generally spiral orientation offacets such as shown in faceted flow receiving surface 180 in FIG. 18may be implemented in the faceted flow directing or flow launchingsurfaces of a steaming pitcher according to the invention. In such amanner, the generally concentrically spiraling orientation of facets ofthe flow receiving and flow directing or launching surfaces of thesteaming pitcher may provide a spiral character to the directed flowpattern of fluid flow in the steaming pitcher during use.

In any of the above described embodiments of the invention, dissolvablesolids or additional fluids, or combinations thereof may be added to theprimary fluid being steamed in the steaming pitcher for mixing with theprimary fluid. In a particular embodiment of the present invention,dissolvable solids such as chocolate, sweeteners or other confectionery,or other fluids such as flavoring syrup or liqueurs for example may beadded to milk or other primary fluids for mixing in the steamingpitchers of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are notintended to be limited to use in steaming fluids for beverage purposes.In another embodiment of the present invention, a fluid mixing containeris provided including a bottom surface connected to a sidewall surfacedefining a top opening and an open internal cavity and a flow receivingsurface adapted to receive an incoming flow of gas at a substantiallyoblique angle. The fluid mixing container according to this embodimentmay also have a substantially smooth arcuate flow directing surfaceand/or a substantially smooth launching surface comprising at least aportion of the sidewall surface and adapted to launch a flow of fluidmoving substantially tangentially to the launching surface inside thefluid mixing container. Alternatively, flow receiving, flow directing orlaunching surfaces of the fluid mixing container may be faceted,comprising one or more facets which may be curved or substantiallyplanar surfaces, or a combination thereof. The fluid mixing containermay be used to mix any suitable fluids by means of introducing a flow ofa suitable mixing gas to the fluid mixing container containing thefluids. For example, the fluid mixing container of the presentembodiment may be used to improve mixing of fluid chemical agents byintroducing a flow of an inert gas. In another embodiment, a flow of gasmay be used to mix a fluid or mixture of fluids with a suitabledissolvable solid in the inventive fluid mixing container, such as toimprove the dissolution of the solid in the fluid or mixture of fluidsfor example. In yet another embodiment, the fluid mixing container maybe used to mix multiple gases together without the presence of a liquidfluid. In a further embodiment, the fluid mixing container may be usedto mix or clean a non-dissolvable solid with an incoming fluid streamwherein the container may comprise one or more drain apertures to allowexcess incoming fluid to escape, such as in a fluid mixing container forwashing rice with an incoming flow of water, for example.

As will be obvious to one skilled in the art, numerous variations andmodifications can be made to the embodiments disclosed above withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it shouldbe clearly understood that the form of the present invention describedin the embodiments detailed above and shown in the accompanying Figuresis illustrative only and is not intended to limit the scope of thepresent invention.

1. A steaming pitcher with a bottom connected to a sidewall surfacedefining a top opening and an open internal cavity, comprising: a flowreceiving surface, at least a portion of which is adapted to receive anincoming flow of steam at a substantially oblique angle.
 2. The steamingpitcher according to claim 1 additionally comprising a flow directingsurface.
 3. The steaming pitcher according to claim 1 additionallycomprising a launching surface adapted to launch a flow of fluid movingsubstantially tangentially to the launching surface inside the steamingcontainer.
 4. The steaming pitcher according to claim 2 additionallycomprising a launching surface adapted to launch a flow of fluid movingsubstantially tangentially to the launching surface inside the steamingcontainer.
 5. The steaming pitcher according to claim 2 wherein the flowreceiving and flow directing surfaces each comprise at least one of: asubstantially smooth curved surface and a substantially planar surface.6. The steaming pitcher according to claim 3 wherein the launchingsurface is substantially smooth.
 7. The steaming pitcher according toclaim 2 wherein at least one of the flow receiving surface and flowdirecting surface comprises two or more facets.
 8. The steaming pitcheraccording to claim 7 wherein an internal angle between the flowreceiving surface and flow directing surface is an obtuse angle.
 9. Thesteaming pitcher according to claim 8 wherein the internal angle betweenthe flow receiving surface and the flow directing surface is greaterthan 135 degrees.
 10. The steaming pitcher according to claim 7 whereinan internal angle between two adjoining facets of the flow directingsurface is an obtuse angle.
 11. The steaming pitcher according to claim10 wherein the internal angle between adjoining facets of the flowdirecting surface is greater than 135 degrees.
 12. The steaming pitcheraccording to claim 1 wherein the flow receiving surface comprises a twosided ridge oriented along a line passing through the center of thebottom of the steaming pitcher.
 13. The steaming pitcher according toclaim 1 wherein the flow receiving surface is substantially conical andis centered on the center of the bottom of the steaming pitcher.
 14. Thesteaming pitcher according to claim 2 wherein the flow directing surfaceis substantially toroidal and is centered on the center of the bottom ofthe steaming pitcher.
 15. The steaming pitcher according to claim 1wherein the flow receiving surface is substantially pyramidal,comprising three or more facets, and is centered on the center of thebottom surface of the steaming pitcher.
 16. The steaming pitcheraccording to claim 1 wherein the flow receiving surface is structurallyseparate from the bottom surface of the steaming pitcher.
 17. A methodof controlling fluid flow in a steaming pitcher wherein the steamingpitcher comprises a bottom connected to a sidewall surface defining atop opening and an open internal cavity and a flow receiving surface, atleast a portion of which is adapted to receive an incoming flow of steamat substantially oblique angle, the method comprising: providing avolume of fluid to be steamed within the steaming pitcher; directing theincoming flow of steam into the volume of fluid such that a combinedflow of fluid and steam is incident upon the flow receiving surface;adjusting at least one of the volumetric rate and location of theincoming flow of steam such that the combined flow of fluid and steamcirculates within the steaming pitcher in a substantially positionallystable flow pattern relative to the pitcher.
 18. The method ofcontrolling fluid flow in a steaming pitcher according to claim 17,wherein the steaming pitcher additionally comprises a flow directingsurface.
 19. The method of controlling fluid flow in a steaming pitcheraccording to claim 18, wherein the steaming pitcher additionallycomprises a launching surface adapted to launch a flow of fluid movingsubstantially tangentially to the launching surface inside the steamingcontainer.
 20. The method of controlling fluid flow in a steamingpitcher according to claim 19 wherein the flow receiving and flowdirecting surfaces each comprise at least one of: a substantially smoothcurved surface and a substantially planar surface.
 21. The method ofcontrolling fluid flow in a steaming pitcher according to claim 20,wherein the flow pattern comprises flow originating from the flowreceiving surface, passing across the flow directing surface to thelaunching surface where the flow leaves the launching surface and fallssubstantially towards the flow receiving surface.
 22. The method ofcontrolling fluid flow in a steaming pitcher according to claim 17wherein the volume of fluid to be steamed comprises milk.
 23. The methodof controlling fluid flow in a steaming pitcher according to claim 17wherein the substantially positionally stable flow pattern is visible toa user looking into the steaming pitcher through the top opening. 24.The method of controlling fluid flow in a steaming pitcher according toclaim 23 wherein the substantially positionally stable flow pattern isvisually distinct to the user, and indicates that the flow of steam isincident on the flow receiving surface.
 25. The method of controllingfluid flow in a steaming pitcher according to claim 17 wherein thevolume of fluid to be steamed additionally comprises solid matter whichmay be dissolved in the fluid.
 26. A steaming pitcher flow control kitcomprising a flow control feature having a flow receiving surface atleast a portion of which is adapted to receive an incoming flow of steamat a substantially oblique angle, wherein the flow control feature isadapted for insertion in a steaming pitcher comprising a substantiallyflat bottom surface.
 27. The steaming pitcher flow control kit accordingto claim 26 additionally comprising instructions for inserting the flowcontrol feature and attaching the flow control feature to thesubstantially flat bottom of the steaming pitcher.